U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., who is running for the U.S. Senate this year, announced on Tuesday his plan to take a state law helping disabled drivers at gas stations to the national level and he has the support of a former presidential candidate.
Jolly showcased his “Gas Pump Access Act” on Tuesday. The bill “requires all gas stations offering self-service to place a decal on each gas pump with the phone number of the station, so when an individual with a disability pulls up, they can call for assistance."
The Tampa Bay Republican noted Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties all started offering their service before Florida followed suit in 2014.
“The Gas Pump Access Act solves the problem of disabled drivers having to find a way to get the attention of a gas station employee for assistance at the pump,” Jolly said. “Tampa Bay and Florida led the nation with this solution and it’s time the rest of the country follows their lead.”
Jolly’s proposal has won the support of former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Ks., who was the Republican presidential nominee back in 1996, and various groups including the AARP and the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.
“I am pleased that Congressman Jolly is taking the lead in introducing the Gas Pump Access Act – a bill that furthers the original intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Dole said.” I join AARP and many other groups in supporting this important bipartisan legislation – ensuring that the millions of disabled individuals across our nation have equal access to fueling assistance for their vehicles. My thanks to Congressmen Jolly for his leadership in recognizing and addressing this significant and fundamental issue.”
“(Jolly’s) bill addresses a persistent problem experienced by disabled individuals who need assistance fueling their vehicles,” AARP noted in its letter of support for Jolly‘s proposal. “While the ADA… requires stations with two or more employees on duty to assist (individuals with a disability) in refueling their vehicles (without charge), there is no reliable method to alert attendants to their need. Honking horns, flashing headlights are often ignored. Some stations provide call attendant buttons but they are often out of reach.”
Jolly filed the bill on Friday and it’s been sent to the House Judiciary Committee. U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, is co-sponsoring it.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
